A brief biography of life and explorations of Jacques Marquette.

Jacques Marquette (1637-75) Traveling with his fellow adventurer Louis Jolliet, Father Jacques Marquette explored the upper Mississippi River and reported the first accurate data on its course. The story of the long and dangerous journey of Marquette and Jolliet is one of the most interesting chapters in the history of the exploration of the New World. Jacques Marquette was born on June 1, 1637, in Laon, France. He was the sixth and youngest child of Nicolas and …

…March Marquette thought himself well enough to continue on to the Indian village on the shore of the Illinois River. There he preached on Easter, speaking to a large audience. His health, however, grew worse Marquette tried to return to his mission at St. Ignace, but he collapsed and died on the way, on May 18, 1675. The site of his original burial place is uncertain. Both Ludington and Frankfort, Mich., have been named as likely possibilities.